High alert: Two swimmers were apparently attacked by sharks off the shores of Long Island on Tuesday (local time), a day after two others reported being attacked while enjoying the water at popular New York beaches.
At least one beach delayed opening to holiday revellers on Tuesday after officials said drones spotted some 50 sand sharks that morning near a popular beach park. When the beach reopened, swimmers were advised to stay close to shore.
“We want to make sure swimmers are safe,” Long Island State Parks Regional Director George Gorman told Newsday.
The beach was closed once more after a possible shark sighting, but officials determined it was a dolphin.
High alert: After a spate of attacks last year, state park officials have increased patrols and deployed more drones to scout the waters for possible danger.
“We did have a season last year where we had six swimmers bitten by sharks, so this has turned into a bit of a concern,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told WABC.
Tuesday’s incidents happened about 95 kilometres apart, including one off Fire Island Pines — not far from another attack the day before when a 15-year-old reported being bitten on one of his feet by a shark while surfing.
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